The EIU view

The political situation will remain volatile in the near term following a failed coup attempt in January 2019. A successful coup to ouster the president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is unlikely given the lack of political or military support for such an event at the top of the military hierarchy. Hence, Mr Bongo will remain in power over 2019-23. Social instability will persist, stemming from popular anger over deteriorating living standards. Real GDP growth will average 3.1% a year in 2019-23.

Gabon looks to India for investment
We expect relations between the two countries to strengthen as India seeks to make further inroads in Africa and strengthen its global foothold in the mining and oil sectors.

Government bans "anti-austerity" protests
The government will struggle to implement fiscal reforms advocated by the IMF without fuelling protests, which have been called off for now but are likely to take place again.

CFA franc (CFAfr), pegged to the euro and backed by a guarantee from the Banque de France. It was devalued from CFAfr50:FFr1 to CFAfr100:FFr1 in 1994, and has been pegged at CFAfr655.96:€1 since France adopted the euro in 1999